This report provides an overview of alternatives to immigration detention in Africa. Drawing from examples in 32 African countries, the report highlights some of the measures in place that contribute to the effective and humane governance of migration, while avoiding the use of unnecessary immigration detention. It includes a Guide for Policy Makers, which outlines how this research can be of use for States.

It complements There are alternatives – a handbook to prevent unnecessary immigration detention and builds on IDC’s 2016 report Alternatives to Immigration Detention in Africa.

In line with international human rights laws and standards, immigration detention should be used only as a last resort in exceptional cases after all other options have been shown to be inadequate. Detention should never be used for children and their families.

These publications include the Community Assessment and Placement model (the CAP model) which is a tool to build systems that ensure detention is only used as a last resort and that community options result in optimal outcomes.

We have two complimentary resources to this report available in French language. Access the Guide for Policy Makers here and the Executive Summary of the complementary publication, There Are Alternatives, here.